FAQ

My department already has a patrol dog, can we get a Labrador for narcotics work?

In order to maximize the capabilities of grantees, the Foundation requires that grant funds be used for the acquisition and deployment of a dual purpose patrol dog, typically a German shepherd, Dutch shepherd or Belgian Malinois. Training facilities work with reputable vendors to acquire excellent dogs that come with health and professional guarantees.

Which specializations does the Foundation grant allow?

The Foundation respects the individual needs of each community in what they need from a dog. All Stanton dogs attend patrol school, but the specialty assigned to the dog is up to the department. Patrol dogs can be dual certified in narcotics, ballistics, accelerants or cadavers. Any department that wishes to train a dog for explosives must provide the Foundation with a statement that they have a partnership with a regional bomb squad that will be used in conjunction with their canine.

My department has already received a Stanton grant for a K9 unit, are we eligible for a second dog?

Yes, the Foundation will support a second dog for previous grantees who have successfully implemented their original K9 unit. The new dog must also complete patrol school with a specialized skill training later on.

What happens if one of the dogs is forced to retire due to unforeseen health issues within five years of receiving the grant?

While the Stanton Foundation requires that communities commit to at least five years of service from both dogs in a department, we also recognize that unforeseen circumstances in police work force dogs to prematurely withdraw from service. In the event that the first dog is retired within five years of receiving the grant, we ask that the municipality agree to immediately replace it to maintain multi-dog status within the department.

If we need a second dog to handle a different working shift than the first one, can we use our current vehicle for both dogs?

No, each dog will need its own vehicle for transportation. Each vehicle carries the equipment such as harnesses and bulletproof vests that are specially designed for each dog. Sharing a vehicle also presents potential health and hygiene issues when dogs spend so much time using the kennels inside of them. The dogs are unable to share a vehicle kennel space, meaning in the event that both are needed simultaneously they will require their own transport to an incident. The Foundation grant provides for the costs of retrofitting an existing cruiser for the second K9 unit.

Can the same handler work both dogs?

In some cases a handler can work both a patrol dog and a separate specialty dog as needed. However, since the Foundation requires that its grant dogs be dual certified and a handler cannot work two patrol dogs, all grant recipients must designate a separate handler for each dog.

Our force has a robust K9 program but we are in urgent need of a 3rd/4th/5th dog for our force. Are we eligible?

No, the Foundation is currently accepting applications from departments who have not possessed a K9 or need to add a second dog only.

Are there any formal reporting obligations from the K9 handler or department?

Yes. A department's reporting requirements begin once the K9 has graduated from patrol school. So, K9s graduating in a fall class will enter their reporting period on January 1 of the following year, while K9s graduating in a spring class will enter their reporting period on July 1 of the same year. For the first year of the unit's operation, the department must send 4 separate quarterly reports including both activity and financial information using the Foundation's template available on our Resources page.

For fall class K9s, that means we need reports for the first year covering the following dates:

Report 1: January 1-March 31

Report 2: April 1-June 30

Report 3: July 1-September 30

Report 4: October 1-December 31

For all spring class K9s, that means we need reports for the first year covering the following dates:

Report 1: July 1-September 30

Report 2: October 1-December 31

Report 3: January 1-March 31

Report 4: April 1-June 30

After the unit has completed its first year, reporting is required annually for the following 3 years. Each department's annual report will be due on either January 1 or July 1, depending on when it graduated patrol school.

In summary, over the course of its life, the unit must provide the Stanton Foundation with 7 reports; 4 during its first year, and 1 each year for 3 subsequent years.